May Is Senior Month In Woodbridge

By Mayor John E. McCormac

May is Senior Month in Woodbridge Township. Senior Month allows us the opportunity to recognize and challenge senior residents and to provide services and activities that stimulate, educate, and encourage an active and challenging lifestyle.  

Senior Month offers educational, recreational, and entertainment activities designed for senior and adult members of the community and encourages senior residents to engage in health and fitness programs and competition, mind-stimulating activities such as Jeopardy-style games, sudoku, art and music classes, health programs and medical screenings, and senior receptions and community engagements.  

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Woodbridge “Tooling Around The Township” Program Marks 10th Year

WOODBRIDGE—Mayor John E. McCormac launched “Tooling Around The Township – 2009,” the annual community-based program that organizes teams of volunteers, local trades’ persons and business sponsors to fix-up, repair and help maintain homes for senior and disabled township residents.

 “I’m excited to announce that ‘Tooling Around the Township – 2009’ is on target for Saturday, April 25 and that it will be bigger and better than ever,” McCormac said last Wednesday.  “I can think of no other project that brings together municipal government agencies, the corporate, business and trade community, and resident volunteers in a way that truly benefits senior and disabled residents more than the annual Tooling Around the Township program.  Therefore, I am today issuing the call to action – volunteer to be part of a team to fix-up a home for a senior or disabled resident.”

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Woodbridge Seeks “Sustainable Jersey” Certification

John McCormac

WOODBRIDGE—Mayor John E. McCormac announced yesterday that Woodbridge Township continues to set the pace as a statewide leader in “green” environmental and sustainable initiatives by actively seeking the designation as a certified “Sustainable Jersey” community.  “Sustainable Jersey” is a certification program sponsored by the New Jersey League of Municipalities, which provides assistance to municipalities that want to go “green,” control costs and save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term. 

“Woodbridge Township continues to plan for the future by implementing innovative, cost-effective, sustainable, environmentally-friendly, and energy efficient programs and initiatives geared to provide long-term ‘green’ benefits to the residents of Woodbridge’s ten towns,” said McCormac.  “The ‘Sustainable Jersey’ Program provides municipalities with the know-how and resources needed to plan for a ‘green’ future.  And, as a ‘Sustainable Jersey’ community, Woodbridge Township will be eligible to receive the tools, guidance, training and additional financial resources necessary to institute programs and initiatives that provide for long-term “green” savings and sustainability.”

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Mayor Takes Part In “Read Across America” Event

Mayor Takes Part In “Read Across America” Event—On Wednesday, March 4, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac visited the Woodbridge Child Care Center, located on Avenel Street, in Avenel. The visit was in honor of the birthday of Dr. Seuss and served as a kick off to the Book It and Read Across America program at the YMCA. The mayor read “Green Eggs and Ham” to the children who really enjoyed his presentation. The Woodbridge Child Care Center is a branch of the Metuchen Edison Woodbridge YMCA. (Photo courtesy of Woodbridge Child Care Center)

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Woodbridge Expands Reverse 9-1-1 Emergency Notification Program To Include Cell Phones

By Mayor John McCormac

The most important task we have in municipal government is to make sure that every Woodbridge Township resident has timely and accurate information before, during, and after emergency situations. As we have seen over the past couple of months, the threat of a disastrous storm, a winter snow alert, or other emergency-related information is something we must plan for as far in advance as possible.

As part of our emergency management safety plan, the Woodbridge Township Office of Emergency Management and the Office of Information Technology are expanding the township-wide “Reverse 9-1-1” emergency communications telephone alert system – a program where we contact residents with important emergency-related information.

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A Holiday Plea For The Less Fortunate

By Mayor John E. McCormac

With the 2008 holiday season coming to a close and the New Year nearly upon us, let’s not forget that there are many less fortunate families throughout Woodbridge Township that need special help each and every day, not just during the holidays.

One of the most important missions I have embraced as mayor is trying to raise public awareness about the need to continually seek donations to keep the township’s food pantry’s stocked throughout the year. We in Woodbridge recognize that hunger knows no season and no boundary. And, our township knows that it is crucial to work every day to collect food so we can help provide the necessities of life to our neighbors who might otherwise go hungry.

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Church Plans Christmas Friendship Dinner

PORT READING – The annual Christmas Friendship Dinner at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Port Reading will again serve neighbors and friends a full holiday dinner from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. Since 1992, the Christmas Friendship Dinner has offered more than food… the dinner represents a coming together of community and stands as a symbol of spirit, hope, and joy for the holiday season.

The dinner is organized and prepared by former Woodbridge Township Councilman Bob Sobieski and his wife Michelle. There is no charge for the dinner and all are welcome. Call 732-634-1419 (mailbox 2) to reserve a dinner.

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“Season Of Giving” Food Drive Is Front & Center Of Township Holiday Events

by Mayor John McCormac

‘Tis the season for holiday merriment, the warmth of family gatherings and the celebration of Christmas, Chanukah and festive traditions. While we enjoy the many events and festivities of the season, let’s not forget that there are many less fortunate families throughout Woodbridge Township that need special help each and every day—not just during the holidays.

More than ever before, we are seeking food donations for the Woodbridge Township food pantries and kitchens that provide for the hungry throughout the holiday’s and into the New Year. We have set a goal to collect at least 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food over the next 45 days – food that will be distributed by our local food pantries as they work to ensure that township residents receive much needed supplies. I would like to once again encourage our always generous township residents to donate a can… or two… or three… of non-perishable foods to help neighbors and families experience a healthier and happier holiday.

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Woodbridge Hosts Halloween ‘Hauntings’

WOODBRIDGE—Mayor John E. McCormac and the Municipal Council announced a township-wide line-up of Halloween ‘happenings’ and ‘spooktacular’ spectacles guaranteed to keep ‘ghosts and goblins’ of all ages in the Halloween spirit.

McCormac noted that Woodbridge – New Jersey’s oldest township – is Halloween Central with events and happenings for one-and-all. The Halloween ‘spooktacular’ got underway yesterday with hayrides at Parker Press Park.

The Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat on Main Street gets underway at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. Join the parade and show off your Halloween costume and Trick-or-Treat down Main Street. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, funniest and most original costumes.

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Woodbridge “Safe & Secure” Program at Work to Identify “Special Needs” Residents

By Mayor John E. McCormac

The most important task we have in municipal government is to make sure that every Woodbridge Township resident with a “Special Need” is “Safe & Secure” during an emergency. As we have seen over the past couple of months, the threat of a disastrous storm (Hurricane Hanna that brushed the Jersey coast and Hurricane Gustav that hit the Gulf coast) or other emergency event is something we must plan for well in advance.

As part of our township-wide emergency management safety plan, we recently announced that every household would receive a “Safe & Secure” registry form in the mail. I am urging any and all township residents who may have difficulty evacuating their residence or place of work during an emergency because of physical or other limitations, or lack of transportation, to sign up for the ‘Special Needs’ registry… that way, we’ll know who to help in advance of an emergency situation when time is of the essence. If you didn’t get a form, and want to register, please contact our Office of Emergency Management at 732-634-5401.

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Woodbridge Captures State Recognition As “New Jersey Healthy Town”

By Mayor John McCormac

I am proud to report that Woodbridge has received a prestigious, statewide honor from the New Jersey League of Municipalities and the statewide Mayors’ Wellness Committee as a “New Jersey Healthy Town.”  The award – we are only the fourth town in the state to receive the recognition – is for our strong and active participation in the Mayors’ Wellness Campaign.

 “We are delighted to recognize the efforts of Mayor McCormac and Woodbridge to promote active living and healthy lifestyles through the Mayors’ Wellness Campaign,” said Judy Doyle, Mayors’ Wellness Campaign Director. “Our statewide effort, which now involves more than 250 New Jersey towns, is beginning to pay dividends.”

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Senior Olympics Set To Open Saturday

WOODBRIDGE—Mayor John E. McCormac, along with representatives from the New Jersey Senior Olympic Committee, Senior Olympians and gold medalists, competing senior athletes, and world-class Olympic competitors and sport champions, will open the 2008 New Jersey Senior Olympic Games at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 during ceremonies outside the Woodbridge Community Center. 

Woodbridge Senior Olympians and gold medalists will carry the Olympic torch for the opening ceremonies. Dagmara Wozniak, a 2008 Olympic athlete, and world champion pocket billiards player Allen Hopkins will participate in the opening events.  

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Woodbridge Announces “Live Where You Work Program”

WOODBRIDGE – Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac and Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Marge Della Vecchia joined Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Commissioner Joseph Doria last week at 239 Wall Street, a 3-bedroom home in the Menlo Park Terrace neighborhood, to announce that Woodbridge is the newest member of the Live Where You Work Program.  Woodbridge is the 3rd municipality to partner with HMFA on the program.

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Preserving Open Space In Woodbridge

By Mayor John McCormac

I am pleased to report that the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently approved the purchase of two tracts of undeveloped land in Woodbridge Township as part of Middlesex County’s and Woodbridge Township’s open space land preservation program.

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Get Ready… Get Set… Go… Woodbridge Township to Host 2008 New Jersey Senior Olympics

by Mayor John McCormac

I am extremely proud to announce that Woodbridge Township has been selected to host and sponsor the 2008 New Jersey Senior Olympics which will be held on Sept. 12, 13 & 14. The Woodbridge Community Center and YMCA will be the central headquarters and main sporting venue for the upcoming senior competition.

Over the past several years, Woodbridge Township has become home to a significant and growing senior population which is more-and-more engaged in an active and physically fit lifestyle. The Senior Olympics embodies today’s senior athlete by featuring sporting events geared to senior-level competition. And, even before competition gets underway, every senior athlete is a winner just by staying in shape and participating in a routine physical fitness regimen. I am encouraging senior athletes from across the state to sign-up and participate in this year’s games.

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